10 Ways to Cut Your Energy Costs at Home

As energy rates continue to rise, you may be on the lookout for strategies to cut back your usage and save money. While big investments such as replacing the windows or installing high-efficiency HVAC systems absolutely make your home more efficient, you can cut energy costs sooner with very little up-front investment. Here’s how you do that.

1. Check the HVAC Air Filter

Check the filter once a month and replace it when it looks dirty, or every three months, whichever happens first. The cost of a new filter pays for itself by encouraging efficiency, providing proper airflow, and keeping the HVAC equipment from overheating. Your home will quickly feel more comfortable and have cleaner indoor air with a fresh filter in place.

2. Adjust Your Thermostat for Energy Savings

Maintain the temperature about 70 degrees or cooler in the winter and increase it to 77 degrees or higher over the summer. Then, choose clothes that suit the season to help you stay comfortable.

3. Get a Programmable Thermostat

If you’re still using an old manual thermostat, get a programmable model. A smart thermostat pays for itself quickly in energy savings by enabling you to program setback periods while you’re at work or sleeping. Automated temperature recovery means you lower costs without ever losing your sense of comfort. Look for a smart Wi-Fi thermostat you can adjust remotely for even greater opportunities to save.

4. Implement Yearly HVAC Maintenance

Preventative maintenance provides an excellent return on investment. First of all, it pays you back by lowering your energy bills. After all, a tuned-up HVAC system performs more efficiently than a neglected one. You also lessen the risk of malfunctions and the associated repair costs. Plus, your equipment is able to live a few years longer when you keep up with maintenance today.

5. Locate and Fix Air Leaks

Air leaks can form wherever two building materials come together. Try to find and seal these leaks to keep your home comfortable and reduce the strain on your HVAC system. Here are a couple of tips:

• • Try to replace old weatherstripping to ensure windows and doors are sealed more tightly.

• • Re-caulk the cracks around windows and doors to avoid air leaks.

• • Add expanding spray foam close to wiring, plumbing, air ducts, and other penetrations in your home’s walls, ceilings and floors.

• • Close the fireplace damper anytime a fire isn’t lit.

6. Use Solar Heat Gain to Your Advantage

In the summer, you should try to block solar heat gain. Putting reflective curtains over the windows through the afternoon is a simple way to accomplish this. If your budget allows, you could also plant trees on the south and west sides of your home. By choosing deciduous trees, you can enjoy cooling shade for the summer while still helping the sun to heat your home for free throughout the winter.

7. Manage Your Water Use

Conserve this limited resource and lower your water bills with the following tips:

• • Take quick showers as opposed to lengthy baths.

• • Put in low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets.

• • Turn off the water when shaving and brushing your teeth.

• • Deal with drippy faucets, running toilets, and leaky pipes as soon as possible.

8. Turn Things Off

Plug computers, printers, TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles and other electronics into power strips. This way, you can shut them off with the flip of a switch when they aren’t being used. At the same time, unplug cell phone chargers and other adapters when you don’t need them to prevent small amounts of “phantom” energy usage.

9. Upgrade Your Light Bulbs

Do you still use old incandescent bulbs at home? Exchange them for LEDs to save as much as 70 percent on your lighting bills. Bulb replacement costs also go down since LEDs work about 25 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

10. Operate Appliances Efficiently

Appliances are the energy hogs of the home. Lower costs with these tips:

• • Close windows and doors when starting the furnace or air conditioner.

• • Adjust the water heater temperature to 120 degrees and wrap it in an insulating blanket.

• • Only operate the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads.

• • Disable the heated-dry function on your dishwasher.

• • Hang your clothes outside to dry when the weather is warm.

• • Heat food in the microwave rather than the oven or stove, especially on summer afternoons.

• • If the utility provider charges more for electricity during “peak times,” try to use your appliances during low-peak periods.

Get Help Lowering Home Energy Costs

A lot of cost-cutting measures are directly related to your home heating, cooling and plumbing systems. If you need help making use of these tips, get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We offer affordable maintenance and repair work, alongside cost-effective installation and replacement services. Additionally, with financing options available, even big upgrades will suit your budget. For more information about our services or to request an estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.